Infant and Toddler Drinking Containers with Vertical Windows

ABSTRACT

A refillable toddler sippy cup drinking container having a vertically disposed see-through window is provided.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/889,882, filed Oct. 11, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/819,849, filed May 6, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to drinking containers used by infants, toddlers, and small children. Toddler drinking containers are commonly known as “sippy cups”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers having integral sight glasses or level indicators are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,591 discloses a graduated sight glass container having a quadrilaterally shaped housing including an indented section on one side with a connected spout, a graduated scale along another side of the housing and a second graduated scale along the base of the housing. The scales are made of a clear material and include indicia to indicate the volume of liquid in the container. Exemplified is a motor oil container. Similarly, United States patent Publication No. 2011/0204086 discloses a gasoline container with a twist off neck extension having a sight glass with indicia to enable the user to verify the liquid content. U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,990 discloses an open mouth container having a base with a skirt that rotates to different positions and an indicator structure with spaced recesses that correspond to particular indicia.

An alternative to the use of indicia is disclosed in United States Patent Publication 2003/0154784. The level indicator is affixed to the outside surface of the outside wall of a container and includes a thermochromatic layer having at least two thermochromatic materials that respond within different operating temperature ranges.

Exemplary children's drinking containers include United States Patent Publications 2003/0076673 and 2005/0045643. The former patent publication discloses a drinking vessel with an insulated wall structure composed of two spaced apart walls. Luminescent elements applied to the walls enhance visibility and liquid level when in low light conditions. The latter patent publication discloses a similarly structured drinking container made of transparent material in which the inner wall is provided with a light-absorbing luminescent material. It would be advantageous to have a drinking container for toddlers that includes a vertical see through window so that the quantity of fluid in the container could be assessed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided by this invention is a drinking container for toddlers that includes a vertical see through window so that the quantity of fluid in the container can be assessed. The drinking container may be unitary or may comprise two pieces. The container includes a see-through container body that is adapted to receive a liquid and as such, has an open top, a closed bottom, and a side wall. The shape of the container body is of no particular importance; it could be a round or oval cylinder, a rectangular or square cylinder, although round or oval cylinders are preferred. The container body side wall has an upper portion at the open top of the body and a lower portion at the closed bottom of the body. In the unitary embodiment, the container body side wall has a substantially smooth and contiguous outer surface onto or into which is affixed a container body surround that extends circumferentially around a major portion of the body side wall. The vertical edges of the container body surround terminate before they meet each other, thereby creating a see-through finger extending upward from the bottom of the container to the rim. The container body surround, which is substantially opaque, may be decorative or solid. It may vary in height but should extend from about the rim of the container body to about the bottom of the container body. The critical feature is that of the vertically extending finger, which creates a see-through portion in the container side wall allowing the quantity of fluid in the container to be assessed. The height of the finger is defined by the height of the body surround and its width is defined by the circumferential width of the body surround in comparison to the circumference of the container body. Consequently, the dimensions of the finger may vary as long as the height and width allow the quantity of fluid in the container to be assessed. The width of the body surround before affixation to the container body should be between 2 and 20 percent less than the circumference of the container body, preferably between 2 and 10 percent less, and most preferably between 4 and 8 percent or 5 and 7 percent.

In the two piece embodiment, the side wall may be formed with a ledge overlay positioned to surround the lower portion of the side wall. The ledge overlay has at least one ledge finger that extends into the upper portion of the side wall and toward the open top of the container body. The ledge overlay may continue under the container thereby forming the closed bottom or it may end at or near the side wall—bottom round.

The two piece container may further includes a hollow, substantially opaque, container body surround, which has a matching number of mating finger cut-outs that are formed and positioned to receive the ledge finger(s) of the container body. The surround is formed and positioned to fit over the upper portion of the side wall of the container body in mating relationship with the ledge overlay to form a side wall surface with a contiguous contour. As in the first embodiment, the container body surround may be decorative or solid.

In either embodiment, the container may additionally include a lid that is removably attachable to the open top of the container body. In that case, in one embodiment, the container body surround and the lid have cooperating screw threads for screw attachment of the lid to the body. In another embodiment, the upper portion of the container body and the lid have cooperating screw threads, or screw lugs, for removable screw attachment of the lid to the body. For toddlers, the lid may be formed with an integral, upwardly extending, drinking spout. For infants, the lid may be formed and adapted to receive a nipple. In all cases, the lid is formed of a rigid, nonbreakable material that is free of phthalate, bis phenol A, nitrosamine, latex, and polyvinyl chloride. Preferably, the lid is made of an opaque or clear grade of polypropylene, although other suitable materials known in the art may be employed.

The lid can also be attached to the cup using a snap fit. Is such case, the lid would preferably be made of a low density polyethylene to have the flexibility to snap over the lip of the cup.

In the unitary embodiment, the container body may be formed of a rigid non-breakable material that is free of phthalate, bis phenol A, nitrosamine, latex, and polyvinyl chloride. In the second embodiment both the container body and body surround may also be formed of a rigid non-breakable material that is free of phthalate, bis phenol A, nitrosamine, latex, and polyvinyl chloride. In both embodiments, preferably, the container body material is a clear grade of polypropylene, although other suitable materials known in the art may be employed. The body surround in the two piece embodiment may also be formed from polypropylene but an opaque or substantially opaque grade, rather than a clear grade. The container body and body surround in the unitary embodiment are permanently affixed together. The container body and body surround in the two piece embodiment may be permanently affixed together or the body surround may be removable from the body. If removable from the container body, the body surround may be formed of a stretchable material such as Silicone rubber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of two piece embodiment of the drinking container of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an orthographic side section view of the drinking container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view of a second, two piece embodiment of the drinking container of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an orthographic side section view of the drinking container of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the drinking container of FIGS. 3 and 4 shown with a container lid.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the unitary embodiment of the drinking container of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a first embodiment of the two-piece drinking container, 1, of the invention. As best seen in FIG. 1, container 1 is composed of a see-through container body, 20, and a container body surround, or sleeve, 40. Container body 20 has an open top rim, 21, a side wall, 22, and a closed bottom, 28. Container body side wall 22 has an upper portion, 23, at or near the open top of the body and a lower portion, 24, at or near the closed bottom of the body. The exterior of lower portion 24 is formed with a ledge overlay, 25, positioned to surround the lower portion of the side wall such that the outer diameter of lower portion 24 is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of upper portion 23. Ledge overlay 25 has a ledge finger, 26, that extends into the upper portion of the side wall and toward the open top of the container body. Ledge overlay 25 forms the container bottom, 28, as best seen in FIG. 2.

Body surround 40 includes mating finger cut-out, 41, and is formed and positioned to fit over the upper portion of the side wall of the container body in mating relationship with container ledge overlay 25 to form a side wall surface with a contiguous contour as is best shown in FIG. 2. Finger cut-out 41 is the same length and width and has the same shape as ledge finger 26. The interior of surround 40 has a circumferential interior ledge overlay 43 that is formed and positioned to rest on the top rim, 21, of the container when the two pieces of the drinking container are assembled. The depth or thickness of ledge overlay 43 and top rim 21 are the same so that when the container is assembled a smooth and contiguous container inner side wall is formed. Likewise, because the depth, or thickness, of body surround 40 conforms to the difference between the outer diameter of the lower, 24, and upper, 23, portions of side wall 22 and the shapes of the cut-out and the finger ledge match, when the two pieces of the container are put together a smooth and contiguous container outer side wall is formed having a vertically extending see-through portion formed by the ledge finger of the container body that functions as a gross indicator of the volume of the liquid in the container.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, internal integral threads, 42, are provided in body surround 40 to accommodate a container lid (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is illustrated a second embodiment of the two-piece drinking container, 1A, of the invention. In this embodiment, internal integral threads 42A are provided in container body 20A and positioned near the top rim, 21A, of container body 20A, rather than in body surround 40A. Container body side wall 22A has an upper portion, 23A, at or near the open top of the body and a lower portion, 24A, at or near the closed bottom, 28A, of the body. Upper portion 23A is formed with a rim overhang, 27A, and lower portion 24A is formed with a ledge overlay, 25A, positioned to surround the lower portion of side wall 22A. Ledge overlay 25A has an outer diameter somewhat larger than the outer diameter of side wall 22A and rim 21A has substantially the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of ledge overlay 25A. Ledge overlay 25A has a ledge finger, 26A, that extends into the upper portion of the side wall and toward the open top of the container body. Ledge overlay 25A forms the container bottom, 28A, as best seen in FIG. 4.

Body surround or sleeve 40A includes mating finger cut-out, 41A, and top rim, 43A (best seen in FIG. 3), and is formed and positioned to fit over side wall 22A of the container body in mating relationship with the ledge overlay and the rim overhang to form a side wall surface with a contiguous contour as is best shown in FIG. 4. Finger cut-out 41A is the same length and width and has the same shape as ledge finger 26A. Because the depth, or thickness, of body surround 40A conforms to the difference between (i) the outer diameter of the lower portion 24A of side wall 22A and rim overlay 27A and (ii) the upper portion 23A of side wall 22A and because the shapes of the cut-out and the finger ledge match, when the two pieces of the container are put together a smooth and contiguous container outer side wall is formed.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a second embodiment of the invention with a container lid, 50, threadably engaged with drinking container 1A by means of external screw threads (not shown) that engage with the internal screw threads 42A in the container body. While in both embodiments continuous screw threads are shown, discontinuous screw lugs may be used instead. Container lid 50 is formed with integral, upwardly extending drinking spout 51. In the uppermost portion of spout 51, there are holes, 52, to allow fluid to flow out of the container. Alternatively lid 50 could be replaced by any other suitable lid, for example a snap close lid and the screw threads eliminated.

In each of the above embodiments, the body surround may be opaque or substantially opaque, decorative or a solid color.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown the unitary embodiment of the invention in which the body surround, 40B, is permanently affixed to the exterior of the container body side wall or within the container body side wall between its upper portion, 23B and its lower portion 24B. In this embodiment, the body surround is decorated either onto or into the container body side wall so as to form a vertically extending, see-through finger 26B that functions as an indicator of the volume in the container. Three different decoration processes may be used for this purpose, each of which results in a container body surround and a container body vertically extending finger simultaneously as well a leaving a substantially smooth and contiguous outer container surface. In the traditional process, ink layers are laid down on the container via a silk screening technique. A portion of the mesh screen used in the process is blocked to prevent the ink from penetrating the screen and adhering to the see-through container body in order to form the visual indicator of the gross volume in the container. After inking, optional heating the container cures and sets the decoration. Alternatively, the Therimage® wax release process (Dennison Manufacturing Company, Dennison, Ohio) may be used. In that process the reverse printed graphics are printed onto a special release coated paper that also contains adhesive lacquer, ink, and protective lacquer. During the application process only the printed inks transfer to the container body. The third process that may be used is a digital heat transfer process. Details of each of these processes can be found in K. Hillestad and L. Baumann “Heat Transfers: The Whole Story”, ITW United Silicon available at http://itwpackagingsolutions.com. Alternatively, IML (In-Mold Labeling) or IMD (In-Mold Decoration) may be use to apply the body surround to the container body. IML and IMD are also well known techniques in the art in which the container surround is imbedded in the wall of the container body. The label that forms the body surround is held in position in the mold cavity during the container body molding process and bonds into the surface of the container body during molding becoming a permanent and inseparable part of the container body. Detail of IML and IMD processes can be found at www.itiautomation.com.

In this one piece embodiment of the invention, internal or external integral threads may be provided in the uppermost or rim portion of the container body to accommodate container lid 50, which can be formed with spout 51. Spout 51 may be provided with top holes 52 as in the other embodiments. Alternatively, the one piece embodiment may be provided with a snap close lid, as is well known in the art.

Patents, patent publications and other documents referenced in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference for the substance of what they disclose. Although the above discussion discloses various exemplary embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent that those of skill in the art can make various modification that will achieve some of the advantages of the invention without departing from the true scope of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A refillable toddler sippy cup drinking container having a vertically disposed see-through window.
 2. The refillable container according to claim 1 having a see-through container body, adapted to receive a liquid and having an open top, a closed bottom and a side wall having an upper portion at the open top of the body and a lower portion at the closed bottom of the body, the side wall being formed with a ledge overlay positioned surrounding the lower portion of the side wall, the ledge overlay having a finger extending toward the open top of the body into the upper portion of the side wall and a hollow, opaque, container body surround having a mating finger cut-out, the surround being formed and positioned to fit around the upper portion of the side wall of the container body in mating relationship with the ledge overlay to form a side wall surface with a contiguous contour.
 3. The refillable toddler sippy cup according to claim 1 having a see-through container body, adapted to receive a liquid and having an open top, a closed bottom and a side wall.
 4. The container according to claim 2 further comprising a removably attachable lid formed to cover the open top of the container body.
 5. The container according to claim 3 wherein the container body surround and the lid have cooperating screw threads or lugs for screw attachment of the lid to the body.
 6. The container according to claim 1 wherein the container body is composed of a clear polypropylene.
 7. The container according to claim 2 wherein the container body is composed of a clear polypropylene.
 8. The container according to claim 1 wherein the body surround is removably attached to the container body.
 9. The container according to claim 2 wherein the body surround is removably attached to the container body.
 10. The container according to claim 1 additionally comprising a container body surround that is permanently affixed onto or within the container body.
 11. The container according to claim 9 wherein the container body surround extends circumferentially around a major portion of the body side wall such that the vertical edges of the body surround terminate before they meet each other, creating a see-through finger extending upward from the bottom of the container to the rim.
 12. The container according to claim 2 wherein the body surround is permanently attached to the container body.
 13. The container according to claim 10 wherein the body surround is formed from a heat transferrable material.
 14. A refillable toddler sippy cup drinking container having a vertically disposed see-through window formed from a see-through container body having an open top, a closed bottom, and a side wall having an upper portion at the open top of the body and a lower portion at the closed bottom of the body, and a body surround affixed onto or within the container body and extending circumferentially around a major portion of the body side wall such that the vertical edges of the body surround terminate before they meet each other, creating a see through finger extending upward from the bottom of the container to the rim.
 15. The container according to claim 13 wherein the body surround is formed from a heat transferable material.
 16. The container according to claim 1 further comprising a removably attachable lid formed to cover the open top of the container body.
 17. The container according to claim 15 wherein the upper portion of the container body and the lid have cooperating screw threads or lugs for screw attachment of the lid to the body.
 18. The container according to claim 10 further comprising a removably attachable lid formed to cover the open top of the container body.
 19. The container according to claim 17 wherein the upper portion of the container body and the lid have cooperating screw threads or lugs for screw attachment of the lid to the body.
 20. The container according to claim 13 further comprising a removably attachable lid formed to cover the open top of the container body.
 21. The container according to claim 19 wherein the upper portion of the container body and the lid have cooperating screw threads or lugs for screw attachment of the lid to the body. 